The pier burnt down Tuesday 5 October. Many players will remember that the ballroom on the pier is where the Hastings International Chess Congress took place for some years. It was a large hall, but not ideal. It swayed underfoot depending on the tides. It was fortunate that it was no longer available to us as the last year as high winds would have closed it during the tournament because it would have been unsafe. The congress then moved to the YMCA.

Now the congress is held at Horntye Park which is unquestionably the best regular venue for a chess event in Britain. Still, one breathes a nostalgic sigh for the pier.

A photo of the pier with a poster advertising the 72nd congress that started in December 1996 in the foreground.

The pier on fire fire on 5th October 2010

The pier as it stands today.

Two players warming up(?) for the Masters in 1995

David Bronstein, and Sir Patrick Moore Stewart at the Living Chess game on the pier during the centenary celebrations in 1995